"The Others" is the second book in Cheryl Isaacs dark supernatural YA series after "The Unfinished." Avery, a Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) teen has just managed to fight off the black water and the Ragged Man and saved her friend (maybe boyfriend) Key. But did she really? Weird little inconsistencies keep coming up and Avery keeps seeing things in reflections. Though a little slow to start, soon Avery is once again facing the black water. Can she do it again? A must buy for YA collections where supernatural fiction is popular. Having the first book in the series as well is highly recommended.

This was spooky and fun and a fantastic time. I think many students will really like this and I think there are many ways to make a unit out of these as well !

This sequel is everything I hoped for and more. Cheryl Isaacs brings the same chilling atmosphere and heartfelt storytelling that made her debut unforgettable, but this time with even deeper emotional resonance and cultural strength.

Avery’s journey feels so grounded in her Kanyen’kehá:ka identity. The way her community, traditions, and generational stories are woven into the plot isn’t just thoughtful, it’s essential. The representation isn’t surface-level or symbolic. It’s living, breathing, and deeply respectful of the complexities of being Native, especially when facing trauma and trying to heal.

The story doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, grief, anxiety, the long shadow of what happened in the black water, but it never loses sight of love, family, and resilience. Avery is a fierce, flawed, and deeply relatable character. Her relationship with Key is tender and complicated in all the right ways, but what truly shines is her connection to her family and her roots.

This isn’t just a horror story or a love story. It’s a story about what it means to survive and carry your culture with you while you do. Cheryl Isaacs continues to raise the bar for YA horror and Indigenous storytelling. I felt seen, spooked, and completely captivated.

First time reading a book from this author and I must say I enjoyed it. The story was interesting from the start. How ever I felt lost because I did not read the first book. So I will be looking for it and reading both again. :)